If you don’t have the Le25 million – quit!
The Minority Leader in the House of Parliament, Hon: Emmanuel W. Tommy has stated in clear terms that “the Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Christiana Thorpe wants to turn Sierra Leone into a one party state with her imposition of the huge sums of money for registration of Presidential candidates, Members of Parliament, Mayor/Chairpersons of Councils and Councilors…” “The APC as a Party in government has money”, says SLPP Hon: Emmanuel W. Tommy. These extracts were statements uttered by Hon: Emmanuel .W. Tommy in a front page article published by Awoko Newspaper -Thursday edition- 2nd August, 2012. (Photo: Moses Lamin Kamara, author)
In my opinion, it sounds despicable for a parliamentarian of such caliber to utter such a statement. Hon. Tommy and others want diplomatic passports for them and their families, they want to be called honourables, collect huge monthly salaries, and above all want credible results in the forthcoming elections, but they don’t want to pay the price. One thing that we most know is that politics is a game for all but at different stages and classes. Each and every one of us should try to know where we belong and play our cards there.
For the past fifteen years I have been clapping and jumping for main strain politicians. With all my academic qualifications and popularity, I did it because political nature has placed me there. So those who cannot afford the money that will give us credible elections should join us to play the political card where we belong.
One gospel truth is that NEC needs Le 88B, approximately $20M to conduct the forthcoming elections and 52%of the money comes from the taxes we pay at different quarters. The citizens of this country have contributed to this; why not you who will be the direct beneficiaries.
Hon. Tommy, this is not an issue of political blame. What is in public domain is that NEC is an independent body established by an Act of Parliament and the Electoral Law went through the same process so neither APC nor SLPP can influence its decision.
It is good for all to know that one of the things that as placed us top in the international scene was due to the credible elections that we conducted in 2007. We were able to achieve it because of the extreme donor contributions. Now the international community is expecting us to contribute 52%; where do you think the money should come from?
If we don’t have the said amount to conduct credible elections, then hell will break loose and you and your family will leave the country for overseas whilst we the poor ones will be killing ourselves.
Truly speaking, I know of somebody who is aspiring for the APC Symbol in Constituency 85. When this announcement was made by NEC, his supporters said if only the party can give him the symbol, then they will fund-raise for him. So the honourables who claim that they love by the people do like –wise.
My simple advice is that if you don’t have the money to contest, quit!
By: Moses Lamin Kamara
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Fatorma Gabba
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Your academic qualifications that enhanced your chances of current station in life through politics is deplorable and abominable. Democracy is not for sale to the highest bidder. The 2011/2012 budget for Sierra Leone had no provisions for exponential salary increased for top APC government officials with immediate effect. The per capita income of an average Sierra Leoneans is less than $ 300.oo one of the poorest countries in the world according to UN Human Development Index. Any clandestine policy to exclude full participation in the political process come November 2012 with be counter-productive.Pointing finger at Hon. Emmanuel Tommy for saying and doing the right thing makes me question your level of intellectual capability. Like it or not, the APC Government has failed MAJORITY of the people and the only way to hold on to power is not by the ballots but bullets as evidenced in the speedy and untimely passage of the Small Arms/Ammunition Act of 2012 repealing the Act of 1955. What a crucial timing for survival! May GOD Save SIERRA LEONE
5th August 2012Thomas komba
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Moses you are just proving to the world that your APC government can’t operate on a level playing field. Had NEC levied such a fee on aspiring candidates in 2007 this foolish Moses was gonna say whatever nonsense out of his mouth. If the government can’t fund elections then, they’re not performing good. This is a clear example of APC been an incompetent regime. They can’t feed the people, they can’t do anything good but to bring shame and disgrace on the country by making shady deals with international criminals.
5th August 2012Let them just declare one party rule. Ernest is the worst president I ve seen in recent times. The collude with foreigners to destroy the country. Moses , use your skull before you scribble your pen to the paper.